Crundwell is listed as a third-party defendant. A third-party defendant is one whose guilt is tied to that of an original defendant.

The amended complaint, filed by attorney Devon Bruce on behalf of the city, says Fifth Third Bank had knowledge of Crundwell’s secret account, which she used to transfer city funds for her personal use by creating fake invoices from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Despite that knowledge, the suit says, the bank did not disclose the account when auditors asked for a list of all of the city’s accounts.

The lawsuit also says a resolution approved by the Dixon City Council was required to open an account dealing with the transfer of city funds. At no time did the council adopt such a resolution to open the secret account.

The bank has no valid documents from council members approving the account, the complaint says.

Of the checks used to transfer city funds, 179 were made out to “Treasurer,” the suit says. At no time did the state treasurer endorse those checks, nor did the checks have an authorized signature.